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Arts smarts.

Article Excerpt
Byline: Randi Bjornstad The Register-Guard

For Oregon taxpayers, something that sounds too good to be true - giving money to arts and cultural activities and getting a tax break for doing it - actually might be as good as it sounds.

Many people immersed in the arts world no doubt know about the Oregon Cultural Trust income tax credit already. But a lot of ordinary citizens - those who take in the occasional performance or sacrifice to give their children music or dance lessons - apparently don't.

Here's how it works: Taxpayers who donate to eligible nonprofit arts groups within the state and then give an equal gift to the Oregon Cultural Trust get an extra boost for their charitable buck. They get an itemized deduction for the direct donation, or donations, to arts groups. Then they get a tax credit for the matching gift to the Cultural Trust, a credit that comes right off the bottom line on their tax bill.

It's part of a plan adopted four years ago by the state Legislature to give citizens a chance to help keep arts, history and cultural heritage programs alive and well in Oregon by diverting part of their tax bills to support them. These are programs that often lose out during periods of government budget cuts.

Under the state plan, if a taxpayer gives $75, for example, to the Van Ummersen Dance Company, another $50 to the Springfield Museum and $25 to the Society of Bead Researchers - all...

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